EU regulators have begun an investigation into Booking.com, alleging that the travel website has not done enough to protect consumers from scams, phishing and fake listings.
The news came as no surprise to consumer correspondent Conor Pope whose Pricewatch email received a growing number of complaints from Irish Times readers.
They contact him when they have been unable to resolve a complaint. Typically the issues revolve around booking problems, phantom listings or refunds. And it’s the website’s responsiveness to consumer complaints that is at the heart of the European Commission investigation.
The site has millions of accommodation listings, from hotels to rooms to villa rentals, and customers from all over the world. The vast majority of customers have positive experiences with the site.
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Pope gives examples from his mailbox, explains the various scams associated with the site, and how the EU-wide investigation will explore if Booking.com has breached the EU’s Digital Services Act.
Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.
